JVC GR-D200US
REVIEW DATE: 10.01.03
The JVC GR-D200US is a compact, easy-to-use camcorder that shoots good video under normal conditions and takes up to 1,600-by-1,200 still images with a flash attachment. Audio quality is slightly below average; this can't be remedied with an external mic, as there's no port. This disqualifies it for business uses.
This JVC entry is about the size of a wallet and twice as thick, with rounded edges that won't catch on pockets or purses, unlike boxier competitors. Large buttons above the 2.5-inch LCD panel on the left have two functions: While the tape is rolling, they control shooting parameters like backlight, focus, exposure, and night vision; during playback, they serve as VCR-like controls.
The zoom controls sit atop the camera—a stretch for small hands—but they are very easy to manage. The zoom ratio is helpfully displayed on-screen, so you know when you're straying into territory that may degrade quality. The controls produce a click when released suddenly, which the camera's recorder picks up.
The GR-D200US can capture stills up to 1,600-by-1,200, and the flash works well, but the actual resolution of the 0.25-inch CCD is only 1.33 megapixels. That's short of the 1.92 megapixels necessary for true 1,600-by-1,200 capture. This indicates that the camcorder digitally enlarges the image. In addition to still images, it can store short MPEG-1 videos on an MMC.
On our studio tests, the GR-D200US was one of our better performers, producing remarkably clear videos with good skin tones, though other camcorders produced more accurate colors and better details. It was also one of the few camcorders free of color artifacts on our high-motion test. Even in low-light conditions, the GR-D200US exhibited none of the gain noise that most others did. Night mode proved a bust, however, slowing the shutter speed so that any motion caused severe blur. Audio was another negative; it sounded harsh and metallic, as though it were recorded inside a tunnel. Nevertheless, most consumers will like the GR-D200US's clean, saturated colors and noise-free videos. It's a fine choice.
